Hot Topics

BR man drowns in Amite River

BR man drowns in Amite River

Advocate staff photo by BRIANNA PACIORKA -- Family members are ushered into a car to identify the body of Jason Hamilton Jr., whose body was found in the Amite River on Monday after he dove from an embankment and never resurfaced.

A 25-year-old Baton Rouge man drowned in the Amite River Monday night after jumping from a small dock in the southeast part of East Baton Rouge Parish, authorities said.

Jason Hamilton Jr., 5823 E. Crown Ave., had been swimming and drinking all day with about three friends at a camp on Horseshoe Bend Road, off Hoo Shoo Too Road, Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Casey Rayborn Hicks said.

“From what we understand, they said he was floundering and calling out for help — I think they thought he was joking at the time — when he went under the water and after several minutes had passed, they became concerned and called first responders,” Hicks said.

Hicks said two others were in the water when Hamilton went under and fatigue may have been a factor in his death because they had been in the water all day.

Deputies were notified about Hamilton via 911 dispatcher at 4:10 p.m. and the St. George Fire Department, which has a station in the area, was called two minutes later.

Hicks said she could not give a cause of death until the Coroner’s Office performs an autopsy.